Refrigerator



March 23, 1943. R. H. NORRIS 2,314,657

\ REFRIGERATOR Filed Jan. 26, 1940 m 23 /& g

lnyencof': r \Qollin H. Norris,

fi m/17 .49

His Attorney.

Patented Mar. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATOR Rollin H. Norris, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 26, 1940, Serial No. 315,796

Claims. (01'. 220-9) My invention relates to refrigerators and more 7 particularly to wall constructions for refrigerators.

Under certain conditions condensation and collection of moisture in the insulation placed in refrigerator walls occurs and causes deterioration of the thermal conductivity of the insulation andv reduces the efliciency of the refrigerator- Such condensation results from the tendency of moisture to travel to the coldest surfaces and from the phenomenon known as "breathing." The temperature of any air in the space between liners or shells defining the refrigerator walls varies with temperature changes inside of and under many conditions of operation, the evaporator or cooling unit in the refrigerator will extract moisture from the air and accumulate the same in the form of frost on the evaporator, under some conditions, as in very damp climates, moisture cannot be accumulated on the evaporator as fast as it can be breathed into the insulation, especially when the refrigerator door is opened frequently.

Accordingly, it is anobjectof my invention to I face of the cabinet.

provide a new and improved refrigerator wall construction in which the condensation and collection of vapor in the heat insulation of refrigerators is minimized.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a view of a domestic type refrigerator cabinet illustrating the application of one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the application of my invention; Fig. 3 is a modification of theatelusive, are other embodiments of my invention and Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fi '7.

Referring to the drawing, 1 have shown a refrigerator cabinet III of the domestic type, access thereto'being had through a door opening i I, the

.door opening H having a door I! associated therewith. In order to cool the air within the refrigerated space or food compartment I3 I' have provided a suitable cooling unit or evaporator It in the upper part of the food compartment l3 and a plurality of shelves l5 are provided to support articles within the food storage compartment l3. The refrigerator It comprises an outer case or liner l6 and an inner liner II with,

suitable heat insulating material 18 therebetween, the liners-being formed of relatively impervious material, such as sheet steel for example. The outer liner I6 is provided with a flange l9 around the edge of the front face of the cabinet III. The space between the edge of the inner liner l1 and the flange is closed by a breaker strip 20 of non-hygroscopic heat insulating material, for example resinous materials such as sold under the trade names Bakelite,.

Textolite, etc. It has been recognized that the outside of a refrigerator cabinet should be as completely impervious to the diffusion of water vapor as possible. Any non-impervious joints which exist are therefore placed on the inner sur To this end I have provided a suitable gasket 2| on the door I2 engaging the face or flange IQ of the outer case I on the outside of the joints between the breaker strip 20 and the lining l1 and flange It. In accordance with my invention I have provided means for minimizing the entrance of moisture into the insulation I! through these joints and any other openings in the liners and from gradually accumulating in the insulation l8.

According to one aspect of my invention,- as

shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I have provided a pas-.

sage or chamber 22 between the walls or linings l6 and l of. the cabinet I] communicating with the insulating material ll adjacent one end of the chamber 22 and the interior or food storage compartment II of the refrigerator ll adjacent" the other end thereof, the chamber or passage being long enough to minimize the amount of wet air reaching the insulatinglmaterial ll.

Chamber 2! comprises a conduit 23 formed of relatively impervious' material placed near the upper lefthand corner of the refrigerator II. The conduit :3 is suitably secured at one end rangement disclosed in Fig. 2; Figs. 4 to "I, into th reof in n 1 88 4 in the inner liner ll.

temperature of the inner liner. It is preferable that the chamber 22 be of such a length that any condensation will take place within the chamber and so positioned that any moisture which condenses therein will not drain into the insulation. The chamber 22 has been illustrated in a bent form placed in the upper lefthand corner of the cabinet ill for convenience of illustration. However, it is generally desirable to place the opening 24 to the chamber 22 at the coldest point of theinner liner I! which is usually opposite the lower portion of the cooling unit il in the back wall of the lining l1. In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a modification of my invention in which a moisture absorbing material 21 such as silica gel or calcium chloride, for example, is placed in the chamber 22. A screen 28 or other means for retaining the material 21 within the chamber 22 while permitting air to flow into and out of the chamber 22 is placed across the opening 24a of the chamber 22.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated anarrangement in Y which insulating material 29 in the form of metallic foil or fibers which are not wettable by water is provided. With this arrangement moisture which condenses in the space between the liners I6 and I] will not be absorbed but it will tend to drain downward'and, if liquid is permitted to accumulate in the bottom of the space between the-liners l6 and ii, there is provided v condensate in the space between the liners l6 and I1. I have provided a plate-like member 34 between the liners l6 and I! cooperating with the outer liner IE to define a chamber or passage 22a which is free of insulating material. The space or chamber 22a 'is closed at the upper end and open at the lower end, as shown in Fig. 5, and communicates with the refrigerated space l3 by means of a conduit 35 communicating between the upper portion of the chamber 22a and the refrigerated space I3. The member 3lis preferably substantially of the same area as the adjacent side wall of'the refrigerated space l3 in order to provide large enough space on the warmer side of the wall of the cabinet l0 so that any moist air which is breathed into the chamber 22a will not reach the vcoldportions of the insulation I 8 until after the moisture has had time to diffuse back into the refrigerated space.

InFig. 6 I have illustrated an arrangement which is a modification of the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. In this instance one of the vertical walls of the liner I1 is formed by overlapping portions 31 and 38 of the liner l1 suitably maintained in spaced-apart relationship to provide a vertical chamber or passage 22b adjacent the inner liner l'l open to the insulating material It at the upper end thereof and the refrigerated space I3 at the. lower end thereof. With this arrangement the entire wall 31 of the inner liner l1, and to some extent the wall 38, acts as a condensing surface which is cold enough to render it probable that all breathed air which eventually reaches the insulating material l8 will have a dew point so low that further condensation will not occur within the insulating material III for time intervals long enough to be harmful. In some instances, as where collection of condensate is not apt to be serious, it may be permissible to use an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig, 6 but omitting the overlap ping portion 38 of the inner liner I! in order to provide a chamber free of insulating material adjacent the inner liner, the portion 31 serving as a portion of the wall thereof, and communicating'with the refrigerated space l3 through an opening at the lower end of the chamber, a trough being provided to collect any condensate and return it to the refrigerated space in the manner shown in connection with the arrangement of Fig. 4.

' Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a. modification of the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 6. A chamber 220 is provided by suitably securing a flanged impervious member 39 to the outside face of the inner liner H, the passage 220 being open to the insulating material l8 at the top thereof and communicating with the refrigerated space l3 through the opening 40 adjacent the lower end thereof.

Other arrangements will occur to those skilled in the art. Combinations of the arrangements disclosed may also be employed. For example, the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 5 may under some conditions be advantageously combined with the structure disclosed in Fig. 6 or Fig. '7.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart shells of substantially impervious material and having heat insulating material disposed between said shells, a breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a door opening, and a door for closing said opening, said inner shell defining a storage compartment, means for minimizing the amount of moisture carried into the insulating material by air forced from said storage compartment into the space between said shells during periods of breathing, said means comprising a chamber disposed between said shells and which is free of insulation, said chamber including walls formed of a substantially impervious material and com- 'municating only with the interior of said storage compartment and said space between said shells, respectively, at separated points, the distance between said points being sufliciently great that moisture in the air entering said chamber diffuses out through the point of communication with said-storage compartment before air pass-. ing through said chamber attains the dew point, and means effective to maintain moisture con ,densing in said chamber out of said insulating material.

points being sufilciently great that moisture in the air entering said chamber will diffuse out through the point of communication with said storage compartment before the air passing through said chamber attains the dew point. and means effective to maintain moisture condensing in said chamber out of said insulating material. V m

5. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart shells of substantially impervious material and tially impervious material and communicating i only with the interior of said storage compartment and said space between said shells, respectively, at separated points, the distance between said points being sufficiently, great. that moisture in the air entering said chamber difiuses out through said point of communication with said storage compartment before the air passing through said chamber to the insulating material attains the dew point, said chamber being so positioned that vapor condensing therein will not drain into said insulating material.

3. In a refrigerator wall construction of i the type comprising inner and outer spaced apart shells of substantially impervious material and having heat insulating material disposed between said shells, a breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a door opening, a door for closing said opening, said having heat insulating material disposed between said shells, a breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a door'opening, and a door for closing said opening, said inner shell defining a storage compartment, means for minimizing the amount of moisture carried into said insulating material by air forced from said compartment into the space between said shells during periods of breathing, said means comprising a chamber disposedbetween saidouter shell and said storage compartment which is free of insulation, said means including walls formed of a substantially impervious material, an aperture in said inner shell communicating between the storage compartment and one portion of said chamber, said inner shell defining a storage compartment,"

means for minimizing the'amount of moisture carried into said insulating material by air forced from said storage compartment into the space between said shells during periods of breathing,

a said means comprising a chamber disposed between said outer shell and said storage compartment which is free of insulation, said chamber including walls formed of a substantially impervious material and communicating only with the interior of said storage compartment and' said space between said shells, respectively, at separated points, the distance between said points being sufiiciently great that moisture in the air entering said chamber diffuses out through said point of communication with said storage compartment before the air passing through said chamber attains the dew point,

said chamber being so positioned that condensate said shells, a. breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a door opening, and a door for closing said-opening. said inner shelldefining a storage compartment, means for minimizing the amount of moisture carried into said insulating material by air forced from said storage compartment into the space between said shells during periods of br eathing, said means. comprising a chamber disposed between said outer shell and said storage compartment which is free of insulation, a portion of said inner shell constituting a portion of the wall defining said chamber, the remaining walls being formed of a substantially impervious material, said chamber communicating only with the interior of said storage compartment and said space between, said shells, respectiv y. at

chamber having an aperture communicating between said shells and another portion thereof, said apertures providing the only communication with said chamber and being spaced apart an appreciable distance such that moisture in the air entering said chamber may difiuse out through the last mentioned aperture before the air passing through said chamber attains the dew point, and means effective to maintain moisture condensing in said chamber out of said insulating material, said last-mentioned aperture being of such a size as to. restrict the flow of air therethrough.

6. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart shells of substantially impervious material and having heat insulating material disposed between said shells, a breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a-door opening, and a door for closing said opening, said inner shell defining a storage compartment. means forming a chamber between said outer shell and said storage compartment which is free of insulation, means. for minimizing the amount of moisture carried into the insulating material by air forced from said storage compartment into the space. between said cells during periods of breathing, said means comprising a chamber including walls formed of a substantially impervious material and communicating only with the interior of said storage compartment and said space between said shells, respectively. at separated points, the distance between said points being sufiicientl'y great that moisture in the air entering, said chamber difiuses out through said point'of communication with said storage compartment before the air passing through said chamber attains the dew point,

j means effective to maintain moisture condensing in said chamber out of said insulating material, and moisture-absorbing material disposed in said chamber.

7. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart shells of substantially impervious material and having spaced edges, heat insulating material dispond between said shells, a breaker strip conseparated points, the distance between said" heating together said edges ofsaid shells and desaid outer shell and said food storage compart-V ment, an aperture in said inner shell, said conduit having an opening at each end thereof one of which is aligned with said aperture, absorbing material in said conduit and means in said aperture for retaining said absorbing material in said conduit while permitting the passage of air therethrough.

8. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart shells of substantially impervious materialand having heat insulating material disposed between said shells, a breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a door opening, and a door for closing said opening, said inner shell defining a storage compartment, means forming a chamber between said outer shell and said storage compartment which is free of insulation, a substantial portion of said chamber being disposed in heat exchange relationship with said outer shell, said chamber communieating at separated points only with the interior of said refrigerator and said space whereby the air breathed into said insulating material is maintained above the dew point.

9. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart having heat insulating material disposed between said shells, a breaker strip connecting together said edges of said shells and defining a door opening, and a door for closing said opening, said inner shell defining a storage compartment, means forming a chamber between said outer shell and said-storage compartment which is free of insulation, said means including a plate-like member disposed in spaced-apart. relationship with said outer shell and defining a passage between said member and said oute shell iree of insulating material, said passage communicating with said space and also with the interior of said storage compartment.

10. In a refrigerator wall construction of the type comprising inner and outer spaced-apart means forming a chamber between said outer shell and said storage compartment which is free of insulation, said' chamber comprising spaced-apart overlapping portions of said inner shell and providing a vertical passage open to said insulating material at the upper end and to the interior of said storage compartment at the lower end.

Rom H. NORRIS. 

